Folding table



D. J. KLYCE FOLDING TABLE Sept. 25, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 25, 1946 sept. 25, 1951 D, J, KLYCE 2,569,007

FOLDING TABLE Filed Sept. 25, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 25, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

My invention relates to folding tables, and has particular reference to a tennis table or the like that may be folded into a small unit wherein part of the table acts as a dolly and as a support for the collapsed portions of the table, facilitating ready movement and storage.

It is a general object of my invention to provide an improved folding table of the general type suitable for table tennis.

Another object of my invention is to provide a table that may be folded upon itself to form a mobile unit that may be conveniently moved and stored.

' Another object of my invention is to provide a folding tennis table that is so designed and proportioned that it forms a stable unit facilitating folding, movement and storage.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a folding table of the type suitable for tennis wherein the ends of the table are disposed up- -wardly when the table is completely folded or collapsed.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent in the following description and claims. considered together with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a tennis table ernbodying my invention, extended for use in playing a game of table tennis;

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view. of the table of Fig` 1 taken along the line 2-2 showing the construction of the ball storage mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 through the ball storage devicenof Fig. 2,;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of the tennis net support mechanism of Fig. 1 with parts of the table broken away; v v

Fig. 5 is a side View of the table of Fig. 1 on reduced scale and showing several steps in the folding of the table;

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the table of Fig. l showing the table in its completely folded form;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View through the table to disclose the structure Iof one of the hinged joints and its operation when half of the table is tilted against the hinge structure, as shown in solid lines in Fig. 5';

Fig. 8 is a partial sectional View through the table of Fig. 1 taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 1;

and

Fig. 9 is an isometric View of a corner of the table of Fig. 1 showing the construction of a paddle storage space.

Referring to Fig. 1, a table embodying my invention may include two top panels I0 and II having joining edges I2 that are supported upon a pedestal structure including a wheeled base I3 and two upright support members I4. The outer ends of the top panels I0 and I I are designated by the numerals I6 and I1, and the outer end portions of the top panels IIJ and II are supported upon pairs of foldable legs I8, each pair being secured together by a cross brace I9. The bottom ends of the legs I8 are spaced from the pedestal base I3 by arms 2l hinged to the base I3 by hinges 22. The arms 2I for each end of the table are joined together by cross braces 23 at their outer ends.

It will also be noted that the inner sides of the legs I8 are grooved as at 24 for a substantial part of their lengths, and that a pin 26 secured to the outer end of each arm 2| rides in a groove. This permits the arms 2I to take various positions along the length of the hinged legs I8 when the legs and arms 2l are being folded against the top panels I0 and I I, as will be explained later.

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be noted that the legs I8 are secured by hinges 21 to the under side of the panels I0 and II. Further, the parts of the panels adjajcent to the joining edges I2 are reinforced by sti'ening rails 28. It will be noted by reference toA Fig. 8 that the panels I and II may be locked tothe pedestal structure by dowels 29 that are glued or otherwise secured to the panels Ill and II and which t within bores 3l formed in a horizontal frame member 32 securing the tops of the upright support members I4 together. The panels Ill and II may be disengaged from this top frame member 32 by merely lifting them upwardly a sufficient distance to clear the -pins 29 from their bores 3 I.

to be readily moved inasmuch as the entire table is then supported on the pedestal I5, but the casters do not cause the table to be unstable during operation as shown in Fig. 1 inasmuch Vas a major portion of the weight of the table is assumed by the legs I8 which are not wheeled.

The manner of collapsing the table is illustrated in Fig. 5. The edge I2 of one'of the top panels I0 and I I may be lifted manually upwardly until the pins 29 thereon become disengaged from their receiving holes 3| and the panel, for example panel I I in Fig. 5, may be moved outwardly away from the other panel a sufficient amount to allow the inner edge I2 thereof to drop to the base I3 of the pedestal. The stiifening rail 28 may rest upon a fiat hinge portion 22A of the hinge 22 while in this position, saving the edge I2 from contact with any parts that might batter its shape. The entire panel II may next be manually grasped at the outer end I1 and rotated to the position shown in broken outline in Fig. 5, where it 4will be observed that the panel II is inclined slightly toward the left against the tapered edges of the pedestal members I4. The entire panel II is therefore statically balanced, and no latches or catches are required for securing it in the position indicated. The legs I8 may then be collapsed against the panel II by moving vthe outer ends of the arms 2I toward the panel. The arms and legs then lie in a flat array against the panel, as shown most graphically in Fig. 6.

This folding operation is aided by ahinge construction made particularly in accordance with the invention and shown'in detail Vin Fig. '7. I provide the at hinge portion 22A with an inclined block 22B which may be suitably secured thereto as by welding or 'soldering The blocks 22B actas a stop for the downward movement of the panels by contacting the stifening rails 28. In this regard it will'be noted also in Fig. 7 that the rail 28 isalso contacting the fiat hinge portion 22A. Referring now to Fig. 5, it will be noted that the inclined panel, together with its legs I8 and the arms 2 I ,form a triangular' structure which niovesas a unit. Therefore, referring back to Fig. '1, 4when the panel I I is rotated to its vertical position, the flat hingcportion 22A and the block 22B rotate in unison with the panel member I I sothat there'is no slidingengagement with any of the parts that may wear portions of the panel. The rotation to a vertical position of the panel II continues until the edge I2 contacts the base I3, whereupon additional rotation to the final vertical position shown in Fig. 5 causes the the stiffening rail 28'to be elevated above the uppermost position of the block 22B. Further vit will be noted withrespect to Fig. 6 that the nal position ofthe 'panel ll positions the stiifening rail 28 far enough to 4the left so that the flat hinge member 22A may be rotated to a parallel position with the panel II without striking the stiffening rail v28. v

From the foregoing it will be apparent'that I have provided a folding table structure wherein the table panels may be easily collapsed by light manual effort, vand further the table panelswill not be damaged or bumped during this folding operation. The ease of the folding or collapsing operation is aided by having the innermost edge become the downward edge of the panel in the folded condition, permitting the person folding the table to grasp the outer, more convenient edge I1 of the panel I I, or the edge I5 of the panel I0. When the panels are rotated to their generally vertical position, the legs I8 and the arms ZI are then easily accessible 'for final rotation to a flat position, as shown in Fig. 6.

When my invention is applied to a tennis table there may be incorporated in the structure storage space for table tennis balls as well as table tennis paddles. Referring to Figs. l, 2 and v3, it Vwill be noted that inclined rails Y36 and 31 may be secured to the under side of one of the panels, for example the panel Il), and aligned in downwardly oil-set relation to a circular aperture 38 in the edge I6 of the panel I0. A side wall 39 and an end wall 4I may also be provided for the rails 36 and 31. The storage chamber thus formed may be filled by inserting balls through the aperture 38, and the inclined rails 36 and 31 feed the balls toward the aperture 38. When it is desired to use a ball from the storage chamber, the players finger may be inserted between the rails 36 and 31, ejecting a ball outwardly through the aperture 38. This storage 'chamber is not inconvenienced by the folding operation due to the fact that the outermost edge I8 is positioned upwardly in the folded table, as shown in Fig. 6, where the rails 38 and 31 are shown.

A paddle storage chamber may be provided by securing a plate to one corner of the table as shown in Fig. 9, for example the corner diagonally opposite to the ball storage chamber. Accordingly a plate 42 may be secured to the bottom of the panel II, and a rectangular aperture 43 may be cut into the edge I1. Paddles may then be 'stored therein, such as a'p'ad'dle 44, and again the storage space retains its elements'b'e'cause the open side of the storagechamber isin an upward position when the table is collapsed, as again shown in Fig. 6, where theaperture Y43 is illustrated.

The net construction of my invention is 'so arranged with Vrespect'toth'e folded table that it may remain permanently in place, even though the table is fully folded. However thenet itself is readily detached from the table when the table is to be used vfor purposes other than table tennis.' Referring to Figs. 1 and 4 it will be noted that a net 46 is stretched between twoexible net supports 41, preferably formed of off-set strip material such as steel or other elastic metal. The supports 41 include an elongated vertical portion 41A, a generally horizontal portion 41B forming an off-set, and a short vertical portion 41C. The short vertical portion 41C may be inserted in a pocket 48 formed in a folded sheet metal bracket 49 which is appropriately secured to the top of the pedestal members I4. The 'pocket is formed by centrally bulging the outer folded portion of the bracket. Preferably this outer foldedportion is of less height than the inner folded portion so as 'to obtain a bearing surface for the upper end of the short Vertical portion 41C. The long vertical portion 41A may be located a standard distanceaway from the sides of the table in 'accordance with the rules of the United States Table Tennis -Association, and the upper end thereof maybe notched at 5I to receive one end of a net cord 52 held therein by a short cross member 53. Tension in the cord 52 is maintained by the spring of the supports 41, and they are preferably initially -deformedsomewhat to insure suitable tension on the cord 52. This initial bending of the 'supports 41 also tends to hold the lower vertical'se'ctioh 41C in the pocket v48. The entiresupports 41'm'ay be removed from the table by manually'lifti'n'g the lower vertical sections 41C out of the pockets 48 in the brackets 49.

Referring to Figs. 5 and `6,'it willb'e noted that when the two panels I0 'and I I are folded against the pedestals I4 there isla space provided above the pedestals I4 'for the 'net structure. This is due tothe fact that the point of convergence of the tapered sides of the pedestals I4, if projected, meet at a' poit'substahtially above the t'op of the net'4'6. Accordingly, therefore, when the table is in -a completely folded position 'the net is not touched or otherwise interfered'with, and accordingly may remain attached to the table even though the entire'table is completely folded, as shown in Fig. 6. Y.

When it is desired to fold the table from its operatingcondition shown in Fig. 1 to its completely folded condition shown in Fig. 6, the personl performing the folding `operation grasps one edge of either panel -I or I I, lifting the inner edge I2 thereof until the dowel pins I9 clear the recesses 3 I. The entire panel is then moved away from the other panel until its end I2 clears the top portions of the pedestal members I4. In this connection the backward movement of the panel'is facilitated by the use of hinge joints 2'I (Fig. 5) at the top ends of the legs I8 and by the pin connection of the legs I8 with the arms-ZI. The entire inner edge of the panel is then lowered until the panel stilener 28 rests upon the flat portion 22A vof the hinge 22, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7; The panel stiflener 28 also contacts the block 22B, forming a permanent part of the hinge 22 and attached to the flat hinge portion 22A. rIhe outer edge of the panel is next grasped, that is, the edge I6 for the panel I0 or the edge I1 for the panel II. and the entire panel is rotated until it leans against the pedestal I4 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. LIn this condition the legs I8 and the arms 2| are projecting from the panel as shown in broken outline inFig. 5. The arms 2I are then moved upwardly along the legs I8 so that the pin 26 in the end of each arm 2I slides upwardly within the groove 24 of each leg. As the pins approach the end of the grooves, each leg then swings downwardly against its panel and the arms 2| are also aligned with and close to the panel.

When both panels of the table are thus folded against the support members I4, the entire assembly forms a compact unit as shown in Fig. 6. The supports I4 together with the wheeled pedestal bases I3 form a readily movable dolly upon which the remainder of the table is supported. The folded table accordingly may be easily moved to any desired location with very little manual effort. It should be noted also that the net structure may remain intact, even though the table is folded, and that the folding motion disposes the ball storage space and the paddle storage space with their openings facing upwardly so that the stored contents will not fall therefrom.

When it is desired to again erect the table for use as shown in Fig. l, the reverse procedure is followed. The legs I8 are rotated outwardly simultaneously with the outward rotation of the arms 2I until the structure assumes a shape shown in broken outline in Fig. 5. The upper end of the panel is then grasped and pulled outwardly until the legs I8 contact the ground, the panel being in an inclined condition as shown in Fig. 5'. The inner edge of the panel may next be grasped and lifted to the height of the top of the pedes tals I4 and the dowel pins 29 (Fig. 8) may then be engaged with their recesses 3| for locking the panel to the pedestal structure.

While I have described my invention with respect to a particular embodiment thereof, I do not care to limit myself to this embodiment, nor otherwise, except by the terms of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A folding table comprising a pedestal with a supporting top and with lower supporting projections, two top panels having adjacent edges resting on the top of the pedestal, a latch for removably locking the adjacent edges to the pedestal, and foldable legs supporting the ends of the panels disposed outwardly from the pedestal,

whereby the .inner adjacent edges of the panels may be manually unlatched from the pedestal top and placed upon the lower pedestal projections and the tops may be rotated against the pedestal and the legs folded against the panels for collapsing or folding the table,

2. A folding table comprising a horizontally elongated pedestal having the longr sides tapering toward each other at the top and having projections near the base thereof, two top panels having adjacent edges supported on the top of the pedestal, a latch for removably'locking the adjacent edges to the top of the pedestal, and foldable legs secured to the panels outwardly from the pedestal, whereby the adjacent edges of the table may be manually disposed upon the pedestal projections and the outer ends of the panels may be rotated past a vertical position so that when both panels rest upon the tapering sides of the pedestal in a generally upright position with the legs folded against the panels, the center of gravity of each panel is disposed inwardly of the projections so that the panels may maintain their generally upright positions.

3. A foldable table comprising a pedestal having a supporting top and lower projections, two top panels having adjacent edges supported on the top of the pedestal, means for removably securing the adjacent panel edges to the pedestal, foldable legs hinged at their upper end to the panels and disposed outwardly from the pedestal, arms hinged to the lower part of the pedestal, and means permitting engagement of the outer ends of the arms with the lower ends of the legs to position the lower ends of the legs with respect to the pedestal and the panels secured to the pedestal.

4. A foldable table comprising a pedestal having a supporting top and lower projections, two top panels having adjacent edges supported on the pedestal top, means for removably securing the adjacent edges of the panels to the pedestal, foldable legs hinged at their upper ends to the panels and each leg having a groove along the length thereof, arms hinged to the lower part of the pedestal, and pins carried on vthe outer end of the arms for engagement with the grooves of the legs whereby the lower ends of the legs may be positioned with respect to the pedestal and the panels secured thereto, and whereby the arms and the legs may be folded against the panel when the adjacent edges of the panels are resting upon the pedestal projections and the entire panels are rotated to a generally vertical position against the pedestal.

5. A folding table comprising an elongated pedestal having projections near the bottom thereof, two panels having adjacent edges resting upon the pedestal to form a table top, a stiffening rail secured to the underside of the panel adjacent tothe edges resting upon the pedestal, legs hinged to the panels outwardly from the pedestal, arms for each leg having a sliding connection with the leg along the length thereof, hinges connecting each arm to the bottom part of the pedestal with flat hinge portions extending from the end of the arms to the hinge joint, inclined blocks secured to the fiat hinge portions, whereby the table may be collapsed by lifting an edge of a panel off of the pedestal and allowing it to drop until the stiifening rail contacts the flat-hinge portion and the inclined blocks thereof, whereby the arms and legs and panel may thereafter be rotated as a unit on the hinge until the edge of the panel rests upon the pedestal projections.

6. A folding table comprising an elongated pedestal-having lower projections and a narrow top, wheels disposed von the bottom of the pedestal so that it may form a dolly for the collapsed parts of the table, two Vadjoining panels having their adjacent edges resting upon the top of the pedestal, a pin and recess connection between each panel and the pedestal top for removably securing the panels thereto, legs hinged to the undersides of the panels and disposed outwardly from the pedestal and having grooves along the inner sides-thereof, a'hinge secured to the bottom part of the pedestal adjacent to the projections, arms secured to the hinges and having pins onk their outer ends thereof for engagement with the grooves of the legs so that the arms may move with respect to the'legs, blocks secured to the part of the hinge structure secured to the arms, and a stiiening rail secured to the underside of the panels adjacent to the edges resting on the pedestal top whereby the table may be collapsed by lifting a panel upwardly to disengage the pin and 8 recess Hco'nnection'and thereafter'movin'g the entire panel outwardly from the pedestal and `then down until the rail contacts the hinge and fthe block on the hinge, and-so that the outer ed of the panel thus dropped may be rotated upfA wardly toward thepedestal so as to rest against ythe .pedestal upon vthe pedestal projection.

DAVID J. KLYCE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of r'e'cord 4in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES 'PATENTS Number Name Date 1,777,694 Halteman Oct. 7, 1930 1,778,654 Wright Oct.t 14, 1930 1,313,330 Vidal July 7, 1931 2,023,844 Kleinman Dec. 10, 1935 2,204,107 Swett June 11, 1940 2,247,657 Girden July 1, 1941 2,321,328 Stack June 8, 1943 

